The Jacksonville Jaguars entered 2022 NFL free agency as one of the teams with the most cap space at over $39 million. After signing nine free agents, they are left with about $6 million and will need about $9 million to sign their draft class, according to Over The Cap.
Bleacher Report released its list of one available free agent that could help each team in 2022. David Kenyon believes former Carolina Panther center Matt Paradis would be an immediate and valuable contributor for Jacksonville after its 2021 starter Brandon Linder retired this offseason. However, the Jaguars have some cap hurdles to clear if they want to even start considering the idea of adding him. Here is what Bleacher Report had to say:
Given the injury struggles Brandon Linder faced in eight NFL seasons, his retirement was hardly a surprise. Still, he leaves a major vacancy in the middle of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ offensive line.
J.C. Tretter is the flashy name, but he’s probably out of the Jags’ price range following their free-agency splurge.
Matt Paradis, on the other hand, might be looking for a prove-it deal. Unfortunately for the Boise State product, a torn left ACL abruptly ended his 2021 campaign in November.
Jacksonville re-signed Tyler Shatley and may turn to him as Linder’s replacement. However, the Jags could add Paradis and protect the ability to use Shatley’s versatility in case a rookie underperforms or the oft-injured Brandon Scherff misses time.
Kenyon makes a great argument that I agree with if Jacksonville can make it happen financially.
Shatley will likely be Linder’s replacement at center unless the team adds someone like Paradis. General manager Trent Baalke inked Shatley to a new two-year deal in the early portion of the offseason. In 532 snaps, he only committed three penalties and allowed zero sacks in 2021, according to Pro Football Focus.
Paradis would be an excellent addition if Jacksonville could get him for a cheap one-year deal since he likely wants to prove his worth after recovering from a torn left ACL. He recorded only one penalty and two sacks in 562 snaps. But Baalke would have to make some significant maneuvers to create cap space to sign him while also maintaining enough cap space to sign the Jags’ incoming draft class.